[2] The Mk III version of the bridge was easy and quick to erect, which led in 1939 to its becoming the standard light bridging equipment, initially of the British armies, and the Allied armies during World War II.

[3] The FBE Mk III was used extensively during World War II by both British and American forces as the standard class 9 bridge.

The connectors have limited articulation,[6] which permits the FBE Mk II bridge to carry a load of class 5 while an FBE MK III bridge can carry a vehicle of load class 9 (approximately 10 tons).

Folding Boat Equipment bridge consists of the following parts:[6] Each folding boat was 21 feet 10 inches long and 6 feet 8 inches wide, collapsible and could be carried flat on four-wheeled trailers or in bridging lorries.

Sixteen soldiers were required for manual carriage and launching a single boat.